Parties Look To Google For High-Tech Conventions

By Josh Smith

With broadcast coverage of national political conventions waning, both parties are looking to Google to jazz up their 2012 confab.

As "Official Social Platform and Live Stream Provider", Google will provide a range of technology support for August's Republican National Convention in Tampa, Fla, including streaming live video, GOP convention organizers said on Friday. A Google spokesperson told Tech Daily Dose the company is working on a similar partnership for the Democratic National Convention.

"Google and YouTube are transforming the political process, providing voters an unprecedented degree of participation and, for the very first time, giving every American who has access to a computer, tablet, video gaming system, interactive television, or video-enabled smart-phone an exclusive backstage pass to the podium of a national political convention," Republican National Convention CEO, William Harris, said in a statement.

He said he hopes Google services like YouTube, Google Maps, and Google+ Hangouts will help give voters a "virtual front-row seat" at the convention.

It's not the first time Google has worked to highlight the 2012 campaign. In September it joined with Fox News to host a debate for Republican presidential candidates.

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